It’s no secret that the sunsets are often stunning up and down the Kona Coast of the Big Island. We have it lucky living being able to witness the sunsets every evening. Itʻs a special time of the day in Kona when the sun sets over the ocean. You will see people pulling over into parking lots and stopping their walks and runs along Aliʻi Drive, and chatter at the beaches will slow down. It seems as if everybody pauses for a just a few moments to experience the sun setting. We understand why, and we do the same thing. Nobody wants to miss the moment when the sun dips behind the horizon. We also donʻt think itʻs a coincidence that dinner time lines up with the setting of the sun. Below is a list of five of our favorite restaurants to get a bite to eat as we watch the sky light up with oranges, reds, pinks, and all the colors of the Kona sunset.

1. Magics Beach & Grill – located in Kailua Kona on Aliʻi Drive, you can catch stunning sunset magic while you have front row seats to the bodyboarding action at Magicʻs Beach. The beachfront restaurant has delicious Hawaiian inspired dishes and sources as many local ingredients as possible. Find your seat at the bar or at one of the open air restaurant tables to watch the sun go down while you enjoy a craft cocktail and delicious island fare – it doesn’t get much better than that!
2. Huggos on the Rocks – Huggos sits, believe it or not, on the oceanfront lava rocks, right in the middle of Kailua Kona on Aliʻi Drive. This open air restaurant has a fun, casual, and lively vibe and is a favorite to watch live music as the sun sets along the horizon. The menu features dishes like the ahi tuna poke tower and the Kailua Bay Cioppino with shrimp, clams, and local fresh fish.

3. Lava Lava Beach Club – LLBC is an oceanfront lounge and restaurant in Waikoloa with a “toes in the sand” ambiance. Grab a cocktail and take a walk around the grounds, play a game of corn hole while you wait for the sun to go down over Anaehoʻomalu Bay. The Beach Club is currently undergoing major renovations that include a larger kitchen, expanded restrooms, an updated La La Lawn with more lawn games, expanded outdoor eating areas, and extra parking. LLBC will be opening again in the fall of 2022 when the renovations are completed.
4. ʻUlu Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge – located inside the Four Seasons Hualalai resort, ʻUlu is an oceanfront restaurant with a picture perfect view of the sunset and is a classic favorite among many when you are looking for a special night out. ʻUlu works with over 160 local farms and all their meals begin with locally-sourced ingredients and Hawaiian flavors as inspiration. Some dishes include Kona abalone “Rockefeller”, a misoyaki kanpachi, and kimchi-buttermilk marinated Puna chicken. The menu includes sushi and nigiri as well.
5. CanoeHouse – located in the newly renovated and breathtaking Mauna Lani Auberge on the Kohala Coast, Canoehouse is one of the top restaurant attractions on the Big Island. Whether you are looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or just looking to treat yourself to a nice evening out – Canoehouse’s food, drinks, and sunset views will not disappoint. The menu features farm-to-table dishes including a six course tasting menu including “everything from locally raised abalone to fresh heart of palm”.
   

Want to read about more of our favorite Big Island restaurants, check out our island lifestyle guide here.